Dear Reader: You have access to 6,000,000 items through new library system Four 'R & R' centers at Springfield, Chicago,Carbondale, Champaign stand at apex of 18 regional networks in which over 500 local units take part. Next step is 'universal card'

THE LOCAL library is connected to the regional library: the regional library is connected to the research and reference center; and the research and reference center can connect with just about any public or private library in the Stale of Illinois.

And that is why John Matthews* of Niantic (pop. 705^ 1974 library budget: $960) was able to acquire information on programming the WANG Programmable Calculator Possible #2000 without ever leaving Niantic.

Matthews and other Illinois citizens have access, through the state's library network, to more than six million books, documents, and periodicals.

Four "research and reference" (R and R) centers stand at the apex of the state library network. They are the State Library in Springfield, the Chicago Public Library, the Southern Illinois University Library at Carbondale. and the University of Illinois Library at Champaign.

Eighteen systems in network
The network works this way: An individual goes to his or her local library (even if that library is so small that it consists of three shelves of books in the local Jaycee office) seeking either a specific piece of material or information on a particular subject. If the material or topic is out of the ordinary, most local libraries won't be able to provide it. If the local library belongs to a regional system, as all but 10 of the more than 550 public libraries in the state do, the librarian merely forwards the request through the system to the appropriate persons at the regional library.

There are 18 regional library systems, each with a professional staff and a collection of at least 100,000 items. Some systems maintain a separate library as a regional center, others use a public library as headquarters. The Chicago system is unique because it is synonymous with the Chicago Public Library, which is an R and R center as well as a local library and a system.

If the regional library doesn't have the material, it will refer the request to one of the R and R centers — whichever is closest or most likely to have the material. If necessary, the request can be sent to the other three centers. Microfilm copies of the State Library holdings and the University of Illinois library card files can also be consulted.

'Vital bits of information'
In the event the request is really esoteric and the material still can't be found, a search can be made through academic and special-purpose libraries, which are part of the network. Local school libraries will be brought in next year. Should all these measures fail, and if the need for the material is fairly important, a request may be sent to the Library of Congress, or to other library networks in the country. This procedure is rarely used, however.

That is how the state library network fulfills what Acting Director of Libraries Kay Gesterfield calls its most important function: "making vital bits of information people need in their daily lives available."

The network was created in 1965 by the legislature, and the state funds the 18 systems as well as the State Library. The appropriation comes within the budget of the secretary of state, who is the state librarian. Membership in the systems is voluntary. Membership gives

*The name Matthews is fictional, because State Library files are confidential, but the example is an actual request from a comparable town in Illinois.

March 1975 /Illinois Issues/87

In addition, the professional staff of the systems works with local libraries to improve services. In turn, the professiona staff of the State Library works with each system, through the Library Development Group. The Library Development Group, according to James Beasley, associate director for library development, is the planning organization for the statewide network, acting as a coordinating and funding agency. The Group also has some regulatory functions, such as reviewing the annual report from each system and approving any change in by-laws.

In return for the advantages of belonging to a system, the local library must make its collection available to other libraries and must prepare itself for increased use as patrons learn of the services available to them.
Of the 10 libraries that refuse to join the network, Ms. Gesterfield says, "They are afraid something will be taken away from them." But, what would not be taken, she says, is local control. Each public library, whether it is a member of a system or not, has elected directors, who hire the staff, evy the taxes, and spend the budget — ai without interference from the state. The systems themselves are "semiautonomous," Beasley said, each governed by its own board and operating in the way that best serves its region. The state office, says Ms. Gesterfield, is now directing its efforts to "perfecting the network."

2.25 million not served
One major problem is that some 2.25 million people in the state are not served by a local tax-supported public library. Two possible solutions are: (S) extending the services of existing libraries, and (2) developing new libraries. The state is helping with a program of grants to local libraries so they can, by referendum, expand to deliver services to a larger area or to more than one municipal area. Ms. Gesterfieid named three fields where she feels work is needed: attitude change and continuing education for local library personnel, better funding for local libraries, and improved delivery of materials to users.
Problem: More than 2,000,000 potential users not served by tax-supported public libraries

The systems are funded by the state on the basis of total population and area served (currently, 70 cents per capita and $25 per square mile served). The total budget for the systems this year was $9.25 million. Local libraries are dependent mainly on the property tax, limited to 15 cents per $100 without a referendum and 40 cents per $100 with voter approval. This means, for example, that a town like Ogden with a population of 703 has $450 from property taxes to fund its library. Some money aso comes from endowments and other sources incuding overdue fines.

Libraries keep local control
The low level of local funding is directly related to the problem of education for library personnel. A town running a library on less than $1,000 a year cannot afford to hire a highly educated professional librarian. In such towns, the job may be done by a volunteer, usually a person with no special training for the job. Such persons often lack the knowledge necessary to help with a research problem, and may tend according to Ms. Gesterfield, to " translate a request for information into a title" instead of mounting a search throughout the network for all possible information. This discourages the serious researcher from using the local library, and in turn leads the local library to believe it does not need the resources for serious research.

Libraries turn to automation
Ms. Gesterfield's third concern, improved delivery of materials, is being tacked through automation. Already, some libraries in Illinois have minicomputers, into which bibliographical information is fed. Any other library with such a computer can plug into the information and locate a book very quickly. Experiments are going on with
central catalogue banks, both within and outside the state. Microfilm copies of the card cataogues of major libraries such as the State Library and the U. of I. library have been in use for some time. Such a system of automation could ultimately make the search for a specific piece of material the work of a few minutes.

The 'universal card'
A development that will delight every serious library user is the advent of the "universal card." This card, according to Beasley, will break down "artificial barriers" for ibrary users by allowing a library patron to use any library in the state, all with a single card. Many libraries have already signed a "reciprocal privileges" agreement which means simply that they agree to honor the cards from other libraries which sign the agreement.

But there will be some problems regarding the "universal card," Beasley said. For example, academic libraries fear they will be inundated with users, inconveniencing their students and faculties. Problems like this could be solved by limiting public use of such libraries to certain hours or, perhaps, reimbursing libraries used above a stated limit.

Where, in all this dramatic change, do those lazy Saturday afternoons spent browsing idly through shelf after shelf of books with musty leather covers fit in? This kind of library use isn't going by the board. The innovations apply mainly to research materials or other special materials and services, not primarily to "reading" books. The browser can continue to search for hidden treasure on the library shelves. But he can also obtain information, should he need it, on programming the WANG Programmable Calculator Possible #2000 — without ever leaving Niantic.

88 /Illinois Issues/March 1975