The Illinois Library System Presidents and Directors met in Decatur on Friday, February 19, to discuss the current status of system finances and library funding, restructuring efforts, and new sustainable service models.  System presidents signed a resolution that was personally delivered to the staff of Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White on Monday, February 22, encouraging him to release Live and Learn Funds so that payments due to the library systems could be brought up to date for FY 2010.  Soon afterward, some funds were earmarked for library systems, demonstrating the efficacy of advocacy efforts.

The group also discussed the draft Standards for Multitype Library Systems and proposed new Administrative Rules for mulitype library systems.  Additional discussion concerned the work of the Illinois Library Association group following up on the November 9, 2009, Allerton summit on library cooperation.

Subsequent meetings are planned.

Today, the second and third appropriation payments were made to the Lewis & Clark Library System!  Many thanks to the System presidents for their efforts on behalf of all member libraries.

In these difficult economic times, every library is looking for ways to save money.  If your library pays its own utility bills, Ameren Energy Marketing can work with your library to lock in a guaranteed electrical rate for one to three years.  This opportunity is also available to schools, municipalities, and other businesses.  Ameren Energy provides information showing potential savings to help  you make your decision.  Lewis & Clark Library System took advantage of this opportunity after it was suggested by the Glen Carbon Centennial Library.  The process only took two days.

To learn more about Ameren Energy Marketing, visit their Web site or contact Nathan Zeller at (314) 554-2123 or e-mail him at nzeller@ameren.com.

Bunker Hill Community Unit District #8, located in Bunker Hill, was established in 1964 when the high school was built. While this is Moriah Meisenheimer’s first year as the school media specialist, it’s clear that she has a lot of pride for her school and a lot of big plans. One area she is particularly proud of is the reading lounge, which was developed to create a more comfortable space for the students to enjoy reading. She’s even gotten the students involved by having volunteers paint the walls during winter break. It was such a hit, the students want to come back and finish the job over spring break!

As the only librarian for the district, Meisenheimer faces many challenges, but she has implemented creative ways to address these issues and ensure a good experience for her students. An example of this is that even though the high school collection is in need of updating, students still have access to more current materials and information as Bunker Hill Schools recently joined the GateNet consortium. Another example is that though there are two buildings and no aides (resulting in at least one library being closed at some point during the day), Meisenheimer has ensured that all students have access to the materials by being available during peak times, which for high school students is the lunch hour.