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Illinois
Libraries


George H. Ryan

Secretary of State and State Librarian

Bridget L. Lamont

Director, Illinois State Library

Kathleen L. Bloomberg

Editor

Nancy Krah
Kristie Metrow

Assistant Editors

Elizabeth Warren
Editorial Assistant

Editorial Policy

ILLINOIS LIBRARIES is the official journal of the Illinois State Library. The purpose of ILLINOIS LIBRARIES is to disseminate articles of general interest to library staff and library governing officials in Illinois who represent all types of libraries and library consortia. Every effort is made to provide a balanced treatment of library-related issues.

Articles are solicited that will address the interests of the publication's audience. Individuals are also encouraged to submit unsolicited articles for consideration. Articles are not limited to Illinois contributors, and guidelines for manuscript submission are available upon request. ILLINOIS LIBRARIES will not compensate authors for submitted or requested articles. The editor and/or the director of the Illinois State Library has the right to reject and/or edit articles before printing. Edited manuscripts and/or galley-proofs cannot be sent to individuals for approval.

Published articles do not necessarily repreent the views of the Illinois State Libraryandthe Office of the Secretary of State.

Articles from ILLINOIS LIBRARIES may not be reprinted without prior written permission of the Illinois State Library. Reprint of an article should include a credit to ILLINOIS LIBRARIES. For permission, contact Editor, ILLINOIS LIBRARIES, Illinois State Library, 300 South Second Street, Room 502, Springfield, IL 62701-1796. Telephone: (217) 785-0052. Internet; kbloomb@library.sos.state.il.us

No advertisements are allowed in ILLINOIS LIBRARIES. Forms and other tear out sheets cannot be placed in ILLINOIS LIBRARIES due to postal regulations. ILLINOIS LIBRARIES is free of charge. Back issues, if available, are also free of charge.

ILLINOIS LIBRARIES (ISSN 0019-2104; OCLC 1752654); publishes four issues yearly. (Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall) Published by the Illinois State Library, Room 502, Springfield, IL 62701-1796, Periodical postage paid at Springfield, IL. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to ILLINOIS LIBRARIES, Illinois State Library, 300 S. Second Street, Springfield, IL 62701 1746.

Spring 1995     Springfield, Illinois    Vol. 77 No. 2

Table of Contents

Preface
Kathleen L. Bloomberg..............................................44

MCIC: The Metro Chicago Information Center
Daniel K. Blewett..........................45

The Role of the Trustee in the Proposed National Telecommunications Highway
Ezequiel Vargas......................................................................49

A Study of Public Library Referenda in Illinois
Stanley E. Adams and Jim Bradley .....................................52

Library Inservice Day: A Boon of Bust?
Mary Nelson............................70

Book Repair Manual
Robert J. Milevski................................................76

41


Illinois State Library Advisory Committee 1994

Name

Area Specialization

Term Expires

Carolyn Anthony
Skokie Public Library

Public Libraries

1995

Jill Rodriguez
Bensenville Community Public Library District

Public Libraries

1995

Brenda Foote
Sparta Public Library

Public Libraries

1997

Alice Calaberese
Director, Chciago Library System

Library Systems

1996

Travis Tyer
Alliance Library System

Library Systems

1996

Pam Feather
Director, DuPage Library System

Library Systems

1995

Faye Tharp
East St. Louis School District 189

School Libraries

1996

Marti Guarin
Illinois Mathematics & Science Academy

School Libraries

1997

Fred Peterson
Milner Library/Illinois State University

Academic Libraries

1996

Doris Brown
DePaul University

Academic Libraries

1996

Bryce Allen
Graduate Library School/University of Illinois

Library Education

1996

Trudy Landwirth
U of I Medical School, Peoria

Institutional Libraries

1997

Kay Cloyes
Caterpillar, Inc.

Special Libraries

1997

Catherine H. Randall
Jacksonville, Illinois

Blind & Physically Handicapped

1997

Barbara Burroughs
Rock Falls, Illinois

Citizen Representative

1995

Mary Barb Johnson
Lake Forest, Illinois

Citizen Representative

1996

Sandra Churchill
Antioch, Illinois

Citizen Representative

1996

Michael McKnight
Peoria, Illinois

Citizen Representative

1997

Christine Udsten
Crystal Lake, Illinois

Citizen Representative

1996

Mary Kay Kickels
Chicago, Illinois

Citizen Representative

1997

Ex Officio Members

Mary Dempsey, Commissioner, Chicago Public Library
Lee Logan, President, Illinois Library Association
J. Robert Sampson, Illinois State Board of Education

42




il9502tc1.jpg

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE

SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS 62756

GEORGE H. RYAN

SECRETARY OF STATE

Dear Friends,

This issue of Illinois Libraries contains an in-depth look at public library referenda in Illinois. The study provides insight on the types of referenda that have been successful, the most favorable times to hold particular types of referenda, and how public library referenda have fared in comparison with school referenda. Although public library tax rate increases are more likely to succeed than school district tax increases, the past seventeen years have shown that school bond referenda have been more successful than library bond referenda.

We all realize that circumstances vary for public libraries and that libraries consider numerous public questions that are expected to be on the ballot. However, the information imparted in this study is worth taking into account when determining referenda scheduling.

As State Librarian, one of my goals is to share information with the library community. This detailed analysis of library referenda can be very helpful to public library boards and staff members. During an era when property taxes are scrutinized very carefully, the more background information we have, the better equipped we are to make prudent choices.

Library networking means a lot of things, including sharing materials, sharing expertise, and sharing knowledge. Sharing information and ideas is only one of the many ways the State Library and my administration work together with the library community in promoting stronger libraries.

Sincerely,



il9502tc2.jpg

GEORGE H. RYAN Secretary of State and State Librarian

43


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