Illinois Library Association
@illibraryassoc.bsky.social
The Illinois Library Association is the voice for Illinois libraries and the millions who depend on them.
Find us at: ila.org
Find us at: ila.org
We’re thrilled to share that this year’s ILA Member Photo of the Year contest received a record-breaking number of votes. Congratulations to the Algonquin Area Public Library District (AAPLD), this year’s winner! #WeAreILA
December 26, 2025 at 4:25 PM
We’re thrilled to share that this year’s ILA Member Photo of the Year contest received a record-breaking number of votes. Congratulations to the Algonquin Area Public Library District (AAPLD), this year’s winner! #WeAreILA
The ILA Executive Board and staff wish everyone a happy and safe holiday season!
December 24, 2025 at 7:10 PM
The ILA Executive Board and staff wish everyone a happy and safe holiday season!
It's #ILAMemberSpotlightMonday! This week's spotlight shines on Diane Silva.
Diane is the Assistant Director/Adult Services Manager at the Riverside Public Library and a co-chair of the Illinois Libraries Present Data/Numbers Committee. Read more: bit.ly/ILASpotlightDSilva #WeAreILA
Diane is the Assistant Director/Adult Services Manager at the Riverside Public Library and a co-chair of the Illinois Libraries Present Data/Numbers Committee. Read more: bit.ly/ILASpotlightDSilva #WeAreILA
December 22, 2025 at 4:30 PM
It's #ILAMemberSpotlightMonday! This week's spotlight shines on Diane Silva.
Diane is the Assistant Director/Adult Services Manager at the Riverside Public Library and a co-chair of the Illinois Libraries Present Data/Numbers Committee. Read more: bit.ly/ILASpotlightDSilva #WeAreILA
Diane is the Assistant Director/Adult Services Manager at the Riverside Public Library and a co-chair of the Illinois Libraries Present Data/Numbers Committee. Read more: bit.ly/ILASpotlightDSilva #WeAreILA
The Chicago Tribune has named librarian Becky Spratford Chicagoan of the Year in Books.
Chicagoan of the Year in Books: If you’re into horror, thank the librarian Becky Spratford
She’s the unassuming champion behind the rise in horror lit. “To me, Becky is the spark plug, lynchpin, head coach and fairy godmother of horror,” says author Daniel Kraus.
www.chicagotribune.com
December 22, 2025 at 4:29 PM
The Chicago Tribune has named librarian Becky Spratford Chicagoan of the Year in Books.
The December issue of the ILA Reporter is now available on the ILA website.
The cover features the 2025 ILA Annual Conference keynote speakers, and the issue includes articles on libraries providing free period products, yoga in libraries, and more! ow.ly/qS5q50XKxy4
The cover features the 2025 ILA Annual Conference keynote speakers, and the issue includes articles on libraries providing free period products, yoga in libraries, and more! ow.ly/qS5q50XKxy4
December 17, 2025 at 3:19 PM
The December issue of the ILA Reporter is now available on the ILA website.
The cover features the 2025 ILA Annual Conference keynote speakers, and the issue includes articles on libraries providing free period products, yoga in libraries, and more! ow.ly/qS5q50XKxy4
The cover features the 2025 ILA Annual Conference keynote speakers, and the issue includes articles on libraries providing free period products, yoga in libraries, and more! ow.ly/qS5q50XKxy4
Each month, ILA staff selects a winner for the member photo contest. Now, you decide the 2025 ILA Member Photo of the Year! Three finalists were chosen based on social media popularity.
Voting is open to everyone and ends Friday, December 19th. Vote today: bit.ly/ILAMemberPhoto25.
Voting is open to everyone and ends Friday, December 19th. Vote today: bit.ly/ILAMemberPhoto25.
December 10, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Each month, ILA staff selects a winner for the member photo contest. Now, you decide the 2025 ILA Member Photo of the Year! Three finalists were chosen based on social media popularity.
Voting is open to everyone and ends Friday, December 19th. Vote today: bit.ly/ILAMemberPhoto25.
Voting is open to everyone and ends Friday, December 19th. Vote today: bit.ly/ILAMemberPhoto25.
"Libraries already play a vital role in supporting their communities, and their participation in this initiative to combat opioid addiction highlights their continued impact."
Illinois libraries to stock opioid reversal drugs for emergencies
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WSIL) -- Illinois public libraries will soon be able to stock and administer opioid overdose reversal agents. This change comes from a new standing order issued by the
www.wsiltv.com
December 10, 2025 at 6:00 PM
"Libraries already play a vital role in supporting their communities, and their participation in this initiative to combat opioid addiction highlights their continued impact."
In her role as the Service Desk Manager at Illinois State University's Milner Library, Elizabeth Babin strives to "make sure everyone has a voice."
A day in the life at Milner Library’s service desk
Service desk associates are usually the first staff whom patrons see when they walk in and are available for any needs one may have at Milner Library.
news.illinoisstate.edu
December 9, 2025 at 9:05 PM
In her role as the Service Desk Manager at Illinois State University's Milner Library, Elizabeth Babin strives to "make sure everyone has a voice."
Award-winning librarian, author, and the new host of "Reading Rainbow," Mychal Threets, will take on the role of Honorary Chair for National Library Week, which will be celebrated from April 19 to 25, 2026.
Librarian and ‘Reading Rainbow’ Host Mychal Threets Is the Honorary Chair of National Library Week 2026
Award-winning librarian, author, and new host of “Reading Rainbow” Mychal Threets will serve as Honorary Chair of the next National Library Week, which will be observed April 19-25, 2026. National Lib...
bit.ly
December 8, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Award-winning librarian, author, and the new host of "Reading Rainbow," Mychal Threets, will take on the role of Honorary Chair for National Library Week, which will be celebrated from April 19 to 25, 2026.
It's #ILAMemberSpotlightMonday! This week's spotlight shines on Georgia Pichinos-Anderson! Georgia is the Patron Services Assistant Supervisor at the Niles-Maine District Library.
Read about Georgia: bit.ly/ILASpotlightGeorgiaPA #WeAreILA
Read about Georgia: bit.ly/ILASpotlightGeorgiaPA #WeAreILA
December 8, 2025 at 3:10 PM
It's #ILAMemberSpotlightMonday! This week's spotlight shines on Georgia Pichinos-Anderson! Georgia is the Patron Services Assistant Supervisor at the Niles-Maine District Library.
Read about Georgia: bit.ly/ILASpotlightGeorgiaPA #WeAreILA
Read about Georgia: bit.ly/ILASpotlightGeorgiaPA #WeAreILA
The I Love My Librarian Award invites library users to recognize the accomplishments of exceptional public, school, college, community college, or university librarians.
Each year, up to 10 librarians are honored and receive $5,000.
Nominate a librarian you love by December 15th. ow.ly/yBtq50Xxybu
Each year, up to 10 librarians are honored and receive $5,000.
Nominate a librarian you love by December 15th. ow.ly/yBtq50Xxybu
December 1, 2025 at 7:04 PM
The I Love My Librarian Award invites library users to recognize the accomplishments of exceptional public, school, college, community college, or university librarians.
Each year, up to 10 librarians are honored and receive $5,000.
Nominate a librarian you love by December 15th. ow.ly/yBtq50Xxybu
Each year, up to 10 librarians are honored and receive $5,000.
Nominate a librarian you love by December 15th. ow.ly/yBtq50Xxybu
It's #ILAInstitutionalMemberSpotlightMonday! This week, we're featuring the Shelbyville Public Library.
Visit the ILA website to read about the library: bit.ly/ShelbyvilleSpotlight. #WeAreILA
Visit the ILA website to read about the library: bit.ly/ShelbyvilleSpotlight. #WeAreILA
December 1, 2025 at 3:25 PM
It's #ILAInstitutionalMemberSpotlightMonday! This week, we're featuring the Shelbyville Public Library.
Visit the ILA website to read about the library: bit.ly/ShelbyvilleSpotlight. #WeAreILA
Visit the ILA website to read about the library: bit.ly/ShelbyvilleSpotlight. #WeAreILA
Congratulations to the Fairview Heights Public Library for submitting the ILA Member Photo of the Month for November!
During a library crawl event in October, the library received a special visit from local celebrity Gorbash, the bearded dragon, who stopped by to get his passport stamped. #WeAreILA
During a library crawl event in October, the library received a special visit from local celebrity Gorbash, the bearded dragon, who stopped by to get his passport stamped. #WeAreILA
November 28, 2025 at 2:54 PM
Congratulations to the Fairview Heights Public Library for submitting the ILA Member Photo of the Month for November!
During a library crawl event in October, the library received a special visit from local celebrity Gorbash, the bearded dragon, who stopped by to get his passport stamped. #WeAreILA
During a library crawl event in October, the library received a special visit from local celebrity Gorbash, the bearded dragon, who stopped by to get his passport stamped. #WeAreILA
It's #ILAMemberSpotlightMonday! This week's ILA member spotlight shines on Lauren Chambers.
Lauren serves as the Programming & Outreach Manager at The Urbana Free Library and is a member of the Illinois Libraries Present Committee. Read about Lauren: bit.ly/ILASpotlightChambers #WeAreILA
Lauren serves as the Programming & Outreach Manager at The Urbana Free Library and is a member of the Illinois Libraries Present Committee. Read about Lauren: bit.ly/ILASpotlightChambers #WeAreILA
November 24, 2025 at 3:06 PM
It's #ILAMemberSpotlightMonday! This week's ILA member spotlight shines on Lauren Chambers.
Lauren serves as the Programming & Outreach Manager at The Urbana Free Library and is a member of the Illinois Libraries Present Committee. Read about Lauren: bit.ly/ILASpotlightChambers #WeAreILA
Lauren serves as the Programming & Outreach Manager at The Urbana Free Library and is a member of the Illinois Libraries Present Committee. Read about Lauren: bit.ly/ILASpotlightChambers #WeAreILA
It's #ILAMemberSpotlightMonday! This week's ILA member spotlight shines on Sara Murray.
Sara is the Executive Director of the Algonquin Area Public Library District and a Co-chair of the ILA Advocacy Committee.
Read about Sara on the ILA website: bit.ly/ILASpotlight.... #WeAreILA
Sara is the Executive Director of the Algonquin Area Public Library District and a Co-chair of the ILA Advocacy Committee.
Read about Sara on the ILA website: bit.ly/ILASpotlight.... #WeAreILA
November 10, 2025 at 4:14 PM
It's #ILAMemberSpotlightMonday! This week's ILA member spotlight shines on Sara Murray.
Sara is the Executive Director of the Algonquin Area Public Library District and a Co-chair of the ILA Advocacy Committee.
Read about Sara on the ILA website: bit.ly/ILASpotlight.... #WeAreILA
Sara is the Executive Director of the Algonquin Area Public Library District and a Co-chair of the ILA Advocacy Committee.
Read about Sara on the ILA website: bit.ly/ILASpotlight.... #WeAreILA
It's the last day to register for ILA Library Legislative Meetups in Metro East, Southern, Central, and Northwest Illinois!
Join ILA to advocate for libraries. Hear from ILA leadership and share with attending legislators why Illinois libraries are vital to communities. Register: ow.ly/gmiW50Xo3p4.
Join ILA to advocate for libraries. Hear from ILA leadership and share with attending legislators why Illinois libraries are vital to communities. Register: ow.ly/gmiW50Xo3p4.
November 6, 2025 at 8:30 PM
It's the last day to register for ILA Library Legislative Meetups in Metro East, Southern, Central, and Northwest Illinois!
Join ILA to advocate for libraries. Hear from ILA leadership and share with attending legislators why Illinois libraries are vital to communities. Register: ow.ly/gmiW50Xo3p4.
Join ILA to advocate for libraries. Hear from ILA leadership and share with attending legislators why Illinois libraries are vital to communities. Register: ow.ly/gmiW50Xo3p4.
Illinois Secretary of State and State Librarian Alexi Giannoulias recently announced millions of dollars in permanent funding for libraries serving underserved and rural communities across Illinois. Cynthia Robinson, Executive Director of the ILA, was among those present for the announcement.
November 6, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Illinois Secretary of State and State Librarian Alexi Giannoulias recently announced millions of dollars in permanent funding for libraries serving underserved and rural communities across Illinois. Cynthia Robinson, Executive Director of the ILA, was among those present for the announcement.
It's #ILAInstitutionalMemberSpotlightMonday! This week, we're featuring the Bourbonnais Public Library District.
Visit the ILA website to read about the library: bit.ly/BourbonnaisLibrarySpotlight #WeAreILA
Visit the ILA website to read about the library: bit.ly/BourbonnaisLibrarySpotlight #WeAreILA
November 3, 2025 at 6:17 PM
It's #ILAInstitutionalMemberSpotlightMonday! This week, we're featuring the Bourbonnais Public Library District.
Visit the ILA website to read about the library: bit.ly/BourbonnaisLibrarySpotlight #WeAreILA
Visit the ILA website to read about the library: bit.ly/BourbonnaisLibrarySpotlight #WeAreILA
Congratulations to the Shorewood-Troy Public Library for submitting the ILA Member Photo of the Month for October!
The children's department staff took their annual Halloween photo. Staff always dress in costumes, always highlight reading, and patrons always love their creativity. #WeAreILA
The children's department staff took their annual Halloween photo. Staff always dress in costumes, always highlight reading, and patrons always love their creativity. #WeAreILA
October 31, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Congratulations to the Shorewood-Troy Public Library for submitting the ILA Member Photo of the Month for October!
The children's department staff took their annual Halloween photo. Staff always dress in costumes, always highlight reading, and patrons always love their creativity. #WeAreILA
The children's department staff took their annual Halloween photo. Staff always dress in costumes, always highlight reading, and patrons always love their creativity. #WeAreILA
We thank the ILA member libraries for their submissions to the Member Photo of the Month contest! We are recognizing two honorable mentions.
Forest Park Public Library: "Spooky Stories and Poetry at Forest Home Cemetery," and the Three Rivers Public Library District: "Spooky Staff." #WeAreILA
Forest Park Public Library: "Spooky Stories and Poetry at Forest Home Cemetery," and the Three Rivers Public Library District: "Spooky Staff." #WeAreILA
October 31, 2025 at 2:44 PM
We thank the ILA member libraries for their submissions to the Member Photo of the Month contest! We are recognizing two honorable mentions.
Forest Park Public Library: "Spooky Stories and Poetry at Forest Home Cemetery," and the Three Rivers Public Library District: "Spooky Staff." #WeAreILA
Forest Park Public Library: "Spooky Stories and Poetry at Forest Home Cemetery," and the Three Rivers Public Library District: "Spooky Staff." #WeAreILA
“Librarians have knowledge. They guide you to the right books. The right worlds. They find the best places. Like soul-enhanced search engines.”—Matt Haig #WednesdayWisdom #Librarians #Libraries #ILA
October 29, 2025 at 5:23 PM
“Librarians have knowledge. They guide you to the right books. The right worlds. They find the best places. Like soul-enhanced search engines.”—Matt Haig #WednesdayWisdom #Librarians #Libraries #ILA
It's #ILAMemberSpotlightMonday! This week's ILA member spotlight shines on Alex Towers.
Alex is the Library Assistant at The Joseph Sears School and a Children's Shelver at the Glencoe Public Library.
Read about Alex on the ILA website: bit.ly/ILATowersSpo.... #WeAreILA
Alex is the Library Assistant at The Joseph Sears School and a Children's Shelver at the Glencoe Public Library.
Read about Alex on the ILA website: bit.ly/ILATowersSpo.... #WeAreILA
October 27, 2025 at 6:35 PM
It's #ILAMemberSpotlightMonday! This week's ILA member spotlight shines on Alex Towers.
Alex is the Library Assistant at The Joseph Sears School and a Children's Shelver at the Glencoe Public Library.
Read about Alex on the ILA website: bit.ly/ILATowersSpo.... #WeAreILA
Alex is the Library Assistant at The Joseph Sears School and a Children's Shelver at the Glencoe Public Library.
Read about Alex on the ILA website: bit.ly/ILATowersSpo.... #WeAreILA
"Information is the lifeblood of any organization, and librarians are the knowledge managers who keep the information flowing." —Brian Solis #WednesdayWisdom #Librarians #Libraries #ILA
October 22, 2025 at 2:06 PM
"Information is the lifeblood of any organization, and librarians are the knowledge managers who keep the information flowing." —Brian Solis #WednesdayWisdom #Librarians #Libraries #ILA
National Friends of Libraries Week is here (October 19-25), marking 20 years of celebrating Friends of Libraries groups!
These groups, big and small, advocate, fundraise, and provide vital support to their local libraries. It's the perfect time to celebrate all they do for your library! #NFOLW25
These groups, big and small, advocate, fundraise, and provide vital support to their local libraries. It's the perfect time to celebrate all they do for your library! #NFOLW25
October 21, 2025 at 2:29 PM
National Friends of Libraries Week is here (October 19-25), marking 20 years of celebrating Friends of Libraries groups!
These groups, big and small, advocate, fundraise, and provide vital support to their local libraries. It's the perfect time to celebrate all they do for your library! #NFOLW25
These groups, big and small, advocate, fundraise, and provide vital support to their local libraries. It's the perfect time to celebrate all they do for your library! #NFOLW25
ILA and the ILA Conference Program Committee thank everyone who contributed to the success of #ILAAC25! To the speakers, presenters, exhibitors, sponsors, and attendees, thank you for your invaluable support!
October 21, 2025 at 2:28 PM
ILA and the ILA Conference Program Committee thank everyone who contributed to the success of #ILAAC25! To the speakers, presenters, exhibitors, sponsors, and attendees, thank you for your invaluable support!