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Illinois State Library Mission It is the mission of the Illinois State Library to provide state government officials and employees with the information they need to make informed decisions as well as to develop and promote libraries in order to enrich the quality of life for the people of Illinois. Inherent in this mission is the State Library's advocacy of the right of Illinois citizens to read and have full access to information. The mission is accomplished by sharing library resources through the Illinois Library & Information Network.
Guiding Principles for Illinois Libraries
Libraries are in transition from being only place-bound warehouses of library materials to also serving as facilitators of access to information, without regard to location. Shared principles which will guide the continued growth and development of Illinois library service through this time of rapid and profound change are as follows: Access to information: Information is the key to successful living. There is a general awareness of the value of information and its potential to empower the individual. Libraries create equal information opportunities, enabling every citizen in Illinois, whether urban or rural, to realize their right to access information. Libraries help people make informed decisions. Librarians are the primary guides to information resources and facilitators for their use. The exponential growth in information underscores the importance of the use of technological advances in addressing patrons' needs. Although opportune use of new technologies is a key mechanism for improving information access, knowledgeable and enthusiastic library personnel are essential to timely and accurate information retrieval. Libraries and reading: Librarians need to encourage people of all ages to enjoy the pleasures of reading. Stimulating children to become lifelong learners and lovers of books and reading continues to be an important role for the library. The role of networking: The Illinois State Library is committed to networking which represents good public policy in maximizing the use of the resources of all types of libraries. Every library user benefits from expanded access to information beyond the four walls of a single library building; a single library cannot meet all of the needs of its users. Networking is a cost-effective means of delivering information to citizens of Illinois by using library resources throughout the state. Technology is key to effective networking, including, but not limited to, machine-readable bibliographic records and enhanced telecommunications links among libraries. The need for continuous training: Libraries provide opportunities for retraining and retooling in a constantly changing environment. Because of ongoing technological developments, librarians also need continual retraining. Libraries will need to continually adapt to new ways of meeting diverse information demands, and this challenge will be met by constant improvements in how library professionals access information and collaborate together. 182 A MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR Dear Colleagues: FY96 was a year of challenge and opportunity for the Illinois State Library staff. I am very proud of the accomplishments of the Illinois State Library staff in meeting the information needs of state government and in working with the network of libraries throughout the state. New initiatives, such as the multimedia PC grant program and state-funded access to nine OCLC FirstSearch databases, expanded access to information for Illinois residents. Collaboration and cooperation among members of the Illinois Library & Information Network have been principal reasons for our progress in FY96. My whole-hearted appreciation is extended to the Illinois library community for its spirit of sharing. Sincerely,
Bridget L. Lamont
183
Reading and Literacy
NEW INITIATIVE More than 75 Illinois authors participated in the inaugural Illinois Authors Literary Dinner and Book Fair Nov. 17 and 18,1995, which celebrated the achievements of Illinois authors. Held at the Illinois State Library in Springfield and attended by more than 3,500 people, the primary goal of the literary weekend was to foster greater statewide awareness of Illinois authors and their many contributions to our literary heritage. The events were co-sponsored by the Illinois Center for the Book, and Lura Lynn Ryan served as the honorary chairperson. Ameritech was the primary corporate sponsor in addition to grants received from 20 other organizations. The book fair generated net income of more than $23,000 for the Illinois Center for the Book, which will fund the Center's programs and purchase books for the Illinois Authors Collection at the Illinois State Library. More than 100 volunteers were involved in planning and implementing the activities at the book fair and literary dinner. Noted author Bill Granger was the featured speaker at the dinner on Friday, Nov. 17, 1995. The 4th annual Family Reading Night was held on Thursday, Nov. 16, 1995. The event encourages families to spend time reading together. More than one million posters, bookmarks, brochures and reading growth charts were given to school and public libraries and literary programs to help promote the program which had participation by more than 50,000 families.
The Secretary of State's children's reading newsletter, Quest, was published, replacing Explore: Check It Out. The November 1995 issue of Quest featured the theme of Family Reading and Illinois Authors, with tips on making a Halloween costume based on favorite literary characters. The second issue, published in April 1996, covered the theme of Travel Illinois through books, literally or electronically on the Internet and featured book titles and graphics about Illinois events, places and festivals with various themes. More than 64,000 copies were printed and immediately "sold out." Requests for an additional 20,000 were received from excited teachers, youth workers and librarians. Copies were sent to schools, libraries and almost 10,000 individual subscribers who filled out the free reply card. The text of these issues and the "Best from Explore" formed the basis for the "Caught Up in Reading and the Net" offerings on the SOS Gateway Internet home page that premiered in June. The Illinois Family Literacy Conference in May attracted more than 300 participants. "Spotlight on Achievement Awards," sponsored by IBM, were given to 10 exemplary literacy students from across the state. Sixty businesses received $488,686 in workplace literacy grants, matched by nearly $1.7 million in contributions from the businesses. These workplace literacy programs are serving 3,464 employees who will receive assessment and/or instruction in basic skills or English as a Second Language. Nineteen family literacy programs were funded with $481,500 in state "Live & Learn" funds. The community/volunteer grant program again focused on direct service to adults reading below a 9th grade reading level, including classes in English as a Second Language and in correctional settings. Grants of $4,923,322 were awarded to 109 programs. Year-end statistics showed that 30,682 students were served by 14,260 volunteers. NEW INITIATIVE Nearly 200 libraries participated in the "Ticket to Read" program, which promotes library cards for literacy students residing in areas that are not taxed for public library service. The "It's Your Call" literacy volunteer recruitment program was launched in September. Posters, mail-stuffers, tear-off tents, media ideas and other materials were provided to aid local programs in the recruitment of volunteers. The Illinois State Resource Center, better known as THE NETWORK, received a third year of federal funding to coordinate adult literacy services throughout the state, provide resources on adult education and literacy, and expand professional development activities to increase the effectiveness of literacy/adult education programs. Working with the Illinois State Board of Education, a request for proposals was issued for train the trainer grants which focus on the use of technology in literacy programs. NEW INITIATIVE Choices for the 21st Century: Public Policy Discussion in Your Local Library is an annual, scholar-led, four-part, public policy discussion program designed to engage the American public in consideration of our 184 nation's future at a critical moment in history. The primary goals are to enhance and encourage non-partisan public deliberation on the future of U.S. policy in our rapidly changing world and to increase public participation in the democratic process. The program is a partnership among Brown University's Watson Institute for International Studies, state libraries, humanities councils and local public libraries, and is funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities as part of its "National Conversation on American Pluralism and Identity." In its first year, 12 Illinois public libraries were participants in the program coordinated by the Illinois State Library. 185
LIBRARY SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT
NEW INITIATIVE Illinois State Library staff worked with the regional library system staff members in implementing program budgets for the library systems. The program budgets provide important information on costs for library system programs, such as consulting, continuing education and delivery. Annual area and per capita grants of over $19.6 million were distributed to the library systems to improve and enhance services that strengthen development of libraries throughout the state.
Each library system received a "Live & Learn" automation/technology grant to increase the number of member libraries that participate in the systems' shared electronic card catalog. The purchase of telecommunications equipment also was included under the grants. Funds awarded under the "Live & Learn" automation/ technology program totaled $2 million. The administrative rules for the Illinois Library System Act were amended to reflect a legislative change covering system boundaries and criteria for developmental members of library systems. NEW INITIATIVE Regional planning panels were appointed by Secretary of State and State Librarian George H. Ryan to discuss the library and information needs of the 1.2 million people in the state without tax-supported public library service and the future of public library funding. There were 389 citizens appointed to 36 panels. Recommendations from these panels will be presented to Ryan in January 1997. Library systems' Internet connections were implemented, including provisions for Internet access by member libraries. Nine of the 11 system databases were made accessible via the Internet. LIBRARY SYSTEM FACTS The twelve regional library systems, funded by the Office of the Secretary of State/Illinois State Library, serve 175 academic libraries, 759 public libraries, 1,757 school libraries and 540 special libraries. Library system databases include 28,358,890 item records, 9,958,939 title records and 2,895,137 patron records. In FY96, nearly 30 million items were loaned by member libraries to patrons of other libraries through the reciprocal borrowing program. The library systems sponsored 1,227 continuing education workshops in FY96 and delivered nearly 11 million items to member libraries. 186
STRENGTHENING LIBRARIES THROUGHOUT THE STATE
NEW INITIATIVE A new grant program called "Educate & Automate" was approved by the Illinois General Assembly and signed into law by the Governor in July 1996. The legislation provides for $4 million annually for library technology programs to create electronic networks for libraries, upgrade hardware and software and provide state-of-the-art access to electronic information. An additional $1 million also will be available for family literacy initiatives. The Access Local Library (ALLY) computer grant program was completed in FY96. During the past 4 years, mircocomputers and modems costing $2.1 million were given to 1,200 public, school, academic and special libraries throughout the state. Continuing an important distance learning initiative begun in 1992, five videoconferences were produced and downlinked to sites throughout the state. The videoconferences provided continuing education opportunities for more than 2,400 librarians and governing board officials. The FY96 topics were: Grants and granstmanship Connecting kids with resources Library trustees Format integration Tuning in to the federal government. (This video-conference starred GPO-Man, the electronically aware Superman.) NEW INITIATIVE The final report from the General Assembly Task Force on Library Finance was completed and distributed in spring 1996. The report, recommending new funding for library technology initiatives, formed the basis for some of the "Educate & Automate" legislative initiatives cited above. Per capita grants were awarded to 597 public libraries to enhance local public library service. The funding of $1.25 per capita was used to purchase library materials and electronic resources as well as pay for staffing and programming. State funding amounted to $13,082,308. A total of $1,264,204 was awarded to 722 school districts through the state-funded school library grant program which provides $.75 per student. The number of qualifying school districts increased 10 percent over FY95. There were 53 public libraries receiving equalization aid grants totaling $234,465. These grants are awarded to public libraries with local property tax income under $4.25 per capita. The number of qualifying libraries decreased from 58 in FY95. Through the "Live & Learn" construction grant program, 21 public libraries received grants for new buildings, remodeling, additions and accessibility projects. Total grant funding awarded was $4,854,396, with the money used for five new libraries, 10 additions to existing library buildings; five remodeling projects; and one accessibility project. As part of the State Library's grant program for library service to the blind & physically handicapped, $2,477,136 was awarded to 18 Talking Book Centers and Radio Information Services. These services provide library materials and programming to 30,400 disabled people of all ages. State Library staff worked with other educational agencies in developing recommendations concerning implementation of the universal service and discounted rates provisions of the Telecommunications Act of 1996. The 3rd annual Small Public Library Management Institute was held June 3 - 7, 1996, at Western Illinois University in Macomb. Thirty-nine libraries learned about library law, disability issues, customer relations and library technology through discussions and presentations by library leaders throughout the state. NEW INITIATIVE Institutes for Introductory Librarianship were held in July 1995 and June 1996 at Bradley University in Peoria. The week-long training programs were geared toward improving basic library skills for public and school librarians. Ten additional libraries joined the Library Partners program, which promotes collaborative initiatives with chambers of commerce and other local organizations for community development. 187 The Illinois State library helped maintain and support the CLUE electronic mail network during the year. Plans were begun to dismantle the network when Internet e-mail becomes more widely available to small rural libraries. The ILLINET/OCLC Services staff held more than 100 workshops in cooperation with the ILLINET/OCLC Users Group. These workshops were attended by 1,600 local library staff members. The "Look Us Up in an Illinois Library" radio programs continued in FY96. Taped one-minute programs about Illinois libraries aired in over 250 radio stations across the state and covered topics such as the statewide summer reading program and reference questions. The Secretary of State awarded 15 scholarships/ training grants of $7,500 each to Illinois residents to obtain their Master's degree in Library & Information Science. This program, which recruits exceptional professionals, will ensure the continued improvement and development of library service throughout Illinois. For many years, the Illinois State Library has made funds available to the Illinois Library Computer Systems Organization (ILCSO) and the University of Illinois to help support the costs of maintaining ILLINET Online as a statewide union catalog. In FY96, $430,000 was provided to help support the central site costs of maintaining ILLINET Online, including database cleanup and system enhancements in preparation for ILLINET Online's migration to a new platform the end of FY97. Library Services & Construction Act grants from the U.S. Department of Education enabled Illinois Libraries to enhance or provide innovative library service to Illinois residents. Seventy-five projects in Illinois libraries were funded, putting to use about $3 million in federal funds to promote Illinois library development. 188
EXPANDED ACCESS TO TIMELY INFORMATION
NEW INITIATIVE Multimedia computers were given to 786 public libraries and branches throughout the state, using $1.6 million in Library Services & Construction Act (LSCA) Title II and state "Live & Learn" automation/technology funds. The program provided a public access computer in every public library and branch to enhance public access to information. Each computer is loaded with Windows 95™, the 1996 Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia and CD-ROM technology. Through the OCLC FirstSearch project, the Illinois State Library provided free access to 9 online databases to the 3,000 libraries in the Illinois Library and Information Network (ILLINET). Access to the following databases was available through dial access or through the Internet:
WorldCat
NEW INITIATIVE Two web servers were made operational by State Library staff to provide expanded access to information about Illinois State Library programs and services and the Illinois Library & Information Network. The Illinois State Library server is part of the Secretary of State's "Illinois Gateway" server (http://www.sos.state.il.us) and includes information about the Illinois State Library and its programs. The ILLINET server (http://www.library.sos.state. il.us/) is designed to be the primary electronic source for information about Illinois libraries. Information about the Illinois NETWORK of Literacy Adult Education Resources has an Internet site (http://archon.educ.kent.edu/~illinois) through funding from the National Institutes of Literacy. The site includes information about all literacy efforts in Illinois and throughout the country as well as other literacy information. NEW INITIATIVE Planning began to implement amendments to the Illinois State Library Act (P.A. 89-169), which requires that certain state documents be made available electronically over the Internet. NEW INITIATIVE The Illinois State Library announced a major community networking initiative in spring 1996 to implement the major recommendation from the Atkinson Symposium held six months earlier. Library Services & Construction Act funds will be used in FY97 to fund new regional electronic community networks that involve extensive collaboration among libraries and community organizations. 189
Governmental Library Services
The State Library staff successfully completed a federal documents depository library inspection by the U.S. Government Printing Office. In preparation for the depository library inspection, 65,000 federal documents, including microfiche, were cataloged in an effort encompassing more than 4,500 staff hours. Improved ready access to federal documents was addressed by contracting with MARCIVE to process federal documents. MARCIVE processes materials by: Generally "smart" barcodesi.e. barcodes that are already linked to particular titles. Producing cards for the State Library paper shelf-list. Creating a computer tape containing bibliographic and holdings records to be added to the ILLINET Online and OCLC databases. Cataloging maintenance projects were prioritized in preparation for the planned migration to a new automation vendor for the online catalog in May 1997. Retrospective conversion projects involved the Illinois Authors Collections, patents, maps and reference materials. NEW INITIATIVE
Internet access for patrons was provided and 15 new public access workstations were made available. The number of INFORM subscribers increased by 27 percent. INFORM is a current awareness service for state government officials and employees. Sixty document librarians attended the annual documents meeting held in October 1995. NEW INITIATIVE Collection development included the purchase of U.S. Executive Branch Documents, 1910-1932 from Congressional Information Service. In spring 1996, a survey of government information needs was sent to all state agencies. Responses indicated an interest in more information regarding State Library services and many suggestions for collection development. NEW INITIATIVE The State Library began providing overnight document delivery free of charge to its state agency clients through contractual agreements with online document suppliers. In FY96, there was a 23 percent increase in the total number of patrons registered, and about 5,000 reference questions were answered. The interlibrary loan department loaned five times more materials to other libraries than it requested from other libraries for state agency patrons. The Illinois State Library celebrated its 6th anniversary in its new library building on June 20, 1996. The exterior of the building, designed to harmonize with the other buildings in Springfield's Capitol Complex, features Indiana limestone set over a base of granite, highlighted by a frieze etched with the names of 35 of Illinois' most distinguished authors. "To me, the word 'library' has, since my childhood, a special radiance. The library was a wide, high structure with mighty accommodations. There was allowance in it for all the sort of delights, sightings, strides, detours and departures of life. It is a treasury of art, science and technology. To have my name celebrated by the great library of the state is a major radiance in my life." Gwendolyn Brooks, Poet Laureate of Illinois Dedication Ceremonies, June 20, 1990 The library has 164,000 square feet of space. The shelving would exceed 15 miles if placed end to end. More than 24,000 people attended meetings in the library's public meeting rooms during the year. 190 SPECIAL PUBLICATIONS IN FY96 A Book About Me. (Spanish and English versions mailed to libraries, literacy programs, Head Start and Even Start programs) General Assembly Task Force on Library Finance Final Report. Electronic Databases Directory (covers databases available through the Illinois State Library reference department) Illinois Libraries, (quarterly journal covering topics of interest to the Illinois library community) Illinois Public Library Statistics: A Guide for Librarians and Trustees, 1993-94 (through a contract with the Library Research Center, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign) Illinois State Library Special Report Series: 1994 Illinois Academic Library Statistics (Vol. 2, Issue 2, 1995) The Impact of Technology on Illinois Library Service (Vol. 3, Issue 1, 1996) Insight. (Office of the Secretary of State/Illinois State Library newsletter, which includes "Firsthand," a feature page geared toward library trustees) Library Services & Construction Act grants FY96. (booklet) Literacy Grants FY96. (booklet) Passing the Word. (quarterly newsletter of the Secretary of State/Illinois State Library Literacy Office) Quest. (2 issues of children's newsletter) "Read to Your Bunny" poster by children's illustrator Rosemary Wells, (mailed to libraries and literacy programs) 191 FY96 BUDGET
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