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Illinois Library Association From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Formation 	1896

Membership 	3,000

Website 	http://www.ila.org

Contents
 * 1 Overview
 * 2 Membership
 * 3 Organizational structure
 * 4 Activities
 * 4.1 Advocacy
 * 4.2 Publications
 * 4.3 Reading Promotion
 * 4.4 Internet Safety
 * 4.5 Conferences and Events
 * 5 Annual Reports

Overview The Illinois Library Association (ILA) (http://www.ila.org) is the eighth oldest library association in the world and the third largest state association in the United States. Headquartered in Chicago, the association provides leadership for the development, promotion, and improvement of library services to enhance learning and ensure access to information for all.

Membership ILA’s 3,000 members are primarily librarians and library staff, but also trustees, publishers, and other supporters. Membership represents all types of libraries in the state—public, school, government, and special libraries.

Organizational Structure The association has three full-time staff members and is governed by a sixteen-member executive board, made up of elected officers. The ILA Handbook of Organization (http://www.ila.org/about/handbook.htm) provides names of current officials and committee members; contains key documents, such as the Mission Statement, Bylaws, and Policies; lists current awards available, ILA's current publications, and provides forms and membership applications. Activities Library Advocacy (http://www.ila.org/advocacy/index.htm) Throughout the year, the Illinois Library Association monitors legislative activity at the state and national level, preparing for both challenges and opportunities. In countering legislation that restricts intellectual freedom, the profession advocates for a future of free and open access to information. In providing information to legislators and supporting legislation that improves library resources, the association is an advocate for change that will increase opportunities for all citizens. Timely alerts on pending legislation mobilize citizens to contact their representatives. The association also maintains legislative counsel in the state capital during the legislative session and works with the state library and other groups to maximize public benefit from available resources.

Publications The bimonthly Illinois Library Association Reporter (http://www.ila.org/pub/reporter.htm) is a forum for those who are improving and reinventing Illinois libraries, with articles that seek to: explore new ideas and practices from all types of libraries and library systems; examine the challenges facing the profession; and inform the library community and its supporters with news and comment about important issues. The ILA Reporter is produced and circulated with the purpose of enhancing and supporting the value of libraries, which provide free and equal access to information. This access is essential for an open democratic society, an informed electorate, and the advancement of knowledge for all people. The primary focus of the Illinois Library Association E-news (http://www.ila.org/pub/enews.htm) is library-related stories appearing in local Illinois news media. The intent is to alert and inform the ILA membership about issues and events that are considered significant by the general media. The E-news is sent free to the ILA membership and subscribers on a semi-regular weekly basis. Reading Promotion Since 1982, ILA has developed successful summer reading programs. iREAD’s (http://www.ila.org/pub/iread.htm) mission is to provide high quality, low-cost resources and products that enable local library staff to motivate children to read. As a coordinated, self-supporting effort between Illinois librarians and the Illinois Library Association, every purchase from iREAD supports library advocacy.

Internet Safety One of the primary concerns of the Illinois library community is the safety of children. We know there are legitimate concerns about the Internet. We know, however, that the best way to protect children is to teach them to guard their privacy and make wise choices. (http://www.ila.org/netsafe/)

Conferences and Events ILA sponsors an annual statewide conference each fall, alternating between Chicago and downstate Illinois. Registration information is available at http://www.ila.org.

Annual Reports (http://www.ila.org/about/reports.htm)