Illinois Library Association

06/24/2026

Illinois Secretary of State and State Librarian Alexi Giannoulias is awarding more than $27 million in grants to libraries across the state.

Giannoulias was joined by library leaders, including ILA President-Elect Rene Leyva and ILA Executive Board member Gwendolyn Harrison, at the Cicero Public Library to announce the grants, which will support investments in books, technology, literacy programs, infrastructure improvements, and security upgrades.

Also on hand for the announcement were Representative Elizabeth Hernandez, Director of the Cicero Public Library Sandra Tomschin, Executive Director of the Aurora Public Library, Illinois Michaela Haberkern, AISLE Executive Secretary Carolyn Kinsella, Illinois State Library Director Greg McCormick, Chicago Public Library Commissioner Chris Brown, and Executive Director of RAILS Monica Harris.

Article: https://bit.ly/4uXyPrg

06/24/2026

"Libraries are at the center of community in a way that no other modern institution is. Libraries are indifferent to race, creed, color, religion, political affiliation, or socioeconomic status. A library card is one of the few attributes that fully defines who is a member of the community. Every single inhabitant in your community can use the library."—Ryan J. Dowd

06/23/2026

The ILA Conference Program Committee invites applications for poster sessions at the 2026 ILA Annual Conference at the Peoria Civic Center in Peoria, IL.

Poster sessions will be held in the exhibit hall on Wednesday, October 7, and Thursday, October 8.

Submissions are invited from all types of libraries and on any topic relevant to librarianship and may include a description of an innovative library program; an analysis of a solution to a problem; a report of a research study; or any other presentation that would benefit the larger library community.

Applications are due by Friday, July 24, 2026. https://bit.ly/ILAAC26Posters

06/22/2026

Join ILA Human Resources & Administration Forum (HRAF) for its next virtual roundtable on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at 2:00 p.m.

The discussion will explore "The Transparency Trap: When Inclusion Leads to Overstepping." This event is open to ILA members and non-members.

Please visit the ILA website for more details and to submit your questions in advance! https://bit.ly/HRAFRT623

06/21/2026

The Rockford Public Library's Adult Online High School recently celebrated its largest graduating class in the program's history.

The program offers a cost-free path for individuals aged 21 and older to earn their high school diploma.

Eighty-one graduates from the Rockford Public Library’s Adult Online High School earned their high school diplomas at a commencement ceremony held at the Coronado Theatre, marking the largest…

06/20/2026

The American Library Association (ALA) is partnering with Heritage Auctions, the world’s largest collections auctioneer, to auction a rare selection of ALA’s iconic READ® posters, offering supporters, collectors, and library fans a chance to own a piece of library history during ALA’s 150th anniversary year.

The American Library Association is partnering with Heritage Auctions to auction a rare selection of ALA’s iconic posters, offering supporters, collectors, and library fans a chance to own a piece of library history during ALA’s 150th anniversary year.

06/19/2026

Happy Juneteenth! The ILA office is closed today.

If you're looking for ways to celebrate, check out the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture website, where you'll find information on the holiday's history, book recommendations, and the story of Opal Lee, the "Grandmother of Juneteenth," whose advocacy helped make it a federally recognized holiday. https://bit.ly/4vSQ39U

06/18/2026

ILA President-Elect Rene Leyva served as the opening keynote speaker and led a workshop on advocacy at the Acuril Conference, held June 7-11 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. https://bit.ly/ILAACURIL2026

06/18/2026

It's time for another Illinois Library Luminary Spotlight! This week's spotlight celebrates Judith F. Krug.

Few people have shaped the fight for intellectual freedom like Judith Krug. As the longtime director of ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom, she founded and served as the Director of the Freedom to Read Foundation from 1969 until her passing in 2009.

She helped to create Banned Books Week in 1982 and supported countless librarians facing challenges to materials in their communities. Her leadership earned national recognition, including an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from the University of Illinois and the 2009 William J. Brennan Award.

Inducted December 4, 2009, her legacy continues to inspire defenders of the First Amendment.

Know someone who deserves recognition as a luminary? Visit the ILA website to find out how you can help them achieve this honor! https://bit.ly/IllinoisLibraryLuminaries

06/17/2026

Don't miss out! The registration deadline for Illinois Libraries Present (ILP) Season 6 is Tuesday, June 30!

The ILP Season 6 lineup features some dynamic speakers, including Karen Hao, Sasheer Zamata, David Grann, and more!

Membership benefits include access to promotional graphics, and all event registrations are managed by ILA.

More information is available on the ILA website. https://ow.ly/2Gys50ZcTs5