Illinois
Libraries

George H. Ryan Secretary of State and State Librarian Jean E. Wilkins Director, Illinois State Library Kathleen L. Bloomberg Editor Kristie Metrow Assistant Editor 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 represent the views of the Illinois State Library and the 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.

Fall 1997    Springfield, Illinois    Vol. 79 No. 4 Table of Contents FY97 Accomplishments: Illinois State Library Annual Report ..............................................149 Big Fish in a Little Pond: Autonomy in an Academic Branch Library Odin Jurkowski .........................157 Libraries and the Internet, Part I: Some Constitutional Background Scott F. Uhler and Rinda Y. Allison ......................................................................159 Library Sevices and Technology Act, Statewide, Regional and Special Meetings in Illinois: Summary of Findings Sharon B. Wiseman .....................................161 State of Illinois Long Range Plan for the Use of Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) Funds 1997-2002 ................................................166 Neglected Networking: Why (and How!) Not to Overlook the Internet in Your Library Job Search Rachel Singer................................................174 Rural Public Libraries and Community Economic Development Norman Walzer and John Gruidl................................................178 Guidelines for Illinois Libraries Manuscripts ................................................182 Statement of Ownership, Management and Circulation ................................................183

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Illinois State Library Advisory Committee 1997
Name	Area Specialization	Term Expires
Patrick Losinski Warren-Newport Public Library District	Public Libraries	1998
Jill Rodriguez Bensenville Community Public Library District	Public Libraries	1998
Brenda Foote Sparta Public Library	Public Libraries	1997
Robert Plotzke Director, Rolling Prairie Library System	Library Systems	1999
Jan Ison Director, Lincoln Trail Libraries System	Library Systems	1999
Pam Feather Director, DuPage Library System	Library Systems	1998
Faye Tharp East St. Louis School District 189	School Libraries	1999
Marti Guarin Illinois Mathematics & Science Academy	School Libraries	1997
Robert Wedgeworth University of Illinois	Academic Libraries	1999
Doris Brown DePaul University	Academic Libraries	1999
Trudy Landwirth U of I Medical School, Peoria	Institutional Libraries	1997
Kay Cloyes Caterpillar, Inc.	Special Libraries	1997
Ann P. Bishop Graduate Library School, University of Illinois	Library Education	1999
Catherine H. Randall Jacksonville, Illinois	Blind & Physically Handicapped	1997
Barbara Burroughs Rock Falls, Illinois	Citizen Representative	1998
Mary Barb Johnson Lake Forest, Illinois	Citizen Representative	1999
Michael McKnight Peoria, Illinois	Citizen Representative	1997
David Dyer Elmhurst, Illinois	Citizen Representative	1999
Mary Kay Kickels Palos Hills, Illinois	Citizen Representative

Ex Officio Members

Mary Dempsey, Commissioner, Chicago Public Library
Kathleen Balcom, President, Illinois Library Association

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OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE

SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS 62756

GEORGE H. RYAN
SECRETARY OF STATE

Dear Friends,

In the past fiscal year, the Office of the Secretary of State/Illinois State Library has provided many services, with the assistance of the Illinois library community. I am pleased that so many library and reading initiatives have been developed and implemented. This issue includes the State Library's annual report for FY97, which reports on more than 100 achievements, including:

• The new "Educate & Automate" grants program

• Technology accessibility grants for public libraries, funded by the final round of LSCA Title II grants

• Development of state goals for the new Library Services & Technology Act federal grant program

• A comprehensive study of library delivery service

• Implementation of a new, comprehensive reporting process for literacy programs

• Publication of new reports, including Rural Resources on the Internet and A Survey of Public Libraries and Local Government

These accomplishments along with the strong efforts of libraries and library systems throughout the state enable Illinois residents to have access to outstanding libraries and library services. I applaud the persistent efforts of librarians and governing officials in addressing information needs and promoting reading programs.

Sincerely,

GEORGE H. RYAN
Secretary of State
and State Librarian

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Preface

Kathleen L. Bloomberg

Earlier this year, the Illinois library community embarked on an intensive planning process to develop a long-range plan for use of Library Services & Technology Act (LSTA) funds. LSTA funding, the successor to the long-lived Library Services & Construction Act, emphasizes technology funding and library services to special populations. Illinois State Library staff used input from hearings last spring to determine goals for the LSTA program through the year 2002.

This issue includes the resulting long-range plan for use of LSTA funds along with a summary report of the hearings and focus groups. The report was prepared by Sharon Wiseman, a library consultant who worked with the Illinois State Library in the planning process.

The advent of LSTA funding marks a new chapter in library development, both at the statewide and national levels. The legacy of the federal precursor, LSCA, lives on through the continued development of many programs and activities in libraries. LSCA funding was instrumental in providing financial support for many public library construction and accessibility projects. Now we are prepared for a new funding program that is focused on enhanced technology and specialized services.

This issue also includes several Internet-related articles and another article on autonomy in an academic branch library. A follow-up to an article in the Winter 1996 issue on rural public libraries and economic development also is published.

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