The BMRC is a Chicago-based consortium that includes public and private libraries, academic archives and special collections, community archives, art centers, and more. Our mission is to connect all who are interested in learning more about Black history and culture to resources and collections in our member institutions. Our end users range from students working on History Day projects to community members digging into genealogy, artists, and writers, to advanced researchers in the field. Visit our new portal at https://bmrc.lib.uchicago.edu...
5 September 2022
Comments: 0
This is the ninth year that Arlington Heights Memorial Library (AHML) invites the community to read the same book at the same time and share the experience through related programs and book discussions. This year, in particular, the book has a meaningful connection to Chicago, with local ties that unearth a buried piece of American history and the Japanese American community. After receiving 29 nominated titles by staff library-wide, our selection process involved 15 library staff members across 7 departments and a final vote from our Leadership team.
Set in Chicago in 1944, Clark...
29 August 2022
Comments: 0
I recently met with my state senator to talk about support for libraries. It was an interesting conversation and at the very least, I think I made her think differently about what is happening in libraries. My own journey to this meeting was a bit odd, but I wanted to share it with you in case you might want to go on your own advocacy journey.
Reaching Out
National Library Week and School Library Month both fall in April every year. This year, I decided I would write letters to most of my elected officials to tell them about the challenges facing libraries or thank them for...
22 August 2022
Comments: 0
In the summer of 2021, the Head of Reference and Instruction Services (RIS) at the Paul V. Galvin Library at the Illinois Institute of Technology reached out to the university’s First Year Experience Program (FYE) coordinator about a potential collaboration. One of the goals of the FYE program is to introduce incoming students to campus resources, services, and support so an introduction to the library seemed like a good fit. The FYE coordinator agreed as long as the content differed from what incoming students would see in new student orientation that each session run no longer than one...
1 August 2022
Comments: 0
As costs rise across the entire economic playing field, libraries are feeling the squeeze on their budgets. One way to help mitigate a tight programming budget is to foster and maintain community partnerships. Working with the businesses in your community is a winning solution for everyone involved. Libraries get exposure to potential new card holders, while businesses get “free advertising” to prospective customers. Often, the business community does not think about the library as a potential partner, so it is up to the library’s marketing or programming lead to initiate these...
25 July 2022
Comments: 0
The Lisle Library District is in the midst of a comprehensive renovation project scheduled to be completed in the spring of 2023. The Library is operating in the building during the renovation, with collections and services being offered on the east end while construction occurs on the west end. Once the west end renovation is complete, the LLD will operate out of that side while the east is under construction. At completion, the library will offer an improved experience for the community with an expanded youth services and adult fiction area, a new teen space,...
14 July 2022
Comments: 0
In a new Specialized Library Spotlight, RAILS Member Engagement Manager Dan Bostrom speaks with Rita Hassert, Library Collections Manager at the Sterling Morton Library at the Morton Arboretum in Lisle, IL. Rita discusses ACORN (Arboretum COllections & Resources Nexus), an online platform that provides access to the library's special collections. This platform is open to anyone and gives users the opportunity to search photos, videos, audio, letters, and more! To access ACORN, please visit: https://acorn.mortonarb.org/
...
12 July 2022
Comments: 0
Well not necessarily…That’s the lesson we learned at Palatine Library. We went through a full renovation on both floors of our Main Library during Covid shutdowns – the only silver lining to that challenging time. Like many libraries, door counts and program attendance went down drastically, but when we began seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, we wanted to see that reflected in our attendance.
So, our staff began to ask an important question: how do we get people back in the building?
In September 2020, Warrenville Public Library had a campaign to incentivize people...
11 July 2022
Comments: 0
Libraries are magical places. In fact, the Vespasian Warner Public Library District in Clinton, Illinois is truly enchanted. In 2018, former maintenance supervisor, David Ward, noticed that a fairy door had appeared on the children’s floor. Two more doors were discovered shortly after on the library’s main floor and in the periodicals room.
The fairies are named Morgan, Echo, and Weatherby. No one has ever seen them because they are very shy and prefer to play at night when the library building is empty. Instead, they communicate with the circulation staff through notes. Staff at...
27 June 2022
Comments: 0
The Founders’ Memorial Library at Northern Illinois University has been exceedingly fortunate to employ a highly competent and skilled support staff dedicated to serving its students and faculty. They play a major role in everyone’s success by supporting their studies, teaching, and research with their tireless work. Ron Barshinger has served the Northern Illinois University Library for 33 years. He began as Library clerk II in billing and is currently the Access Services Manager. A graduate of Monmouth University in music education, Ron is an accomplished organist who has served the First...
Pages
The My Library Is ... campaign
is a project of the Reaching Across Illinois Library System.