Introduction

Illinois libraries offer a great return on investment to the taxpayers they serve. They link people to information, act as a focal point of the communities they represent -- city, school, university, or corporation -- and level the playing field by making resources equally available to all members of their constituency. As Illinois residents have become more diverse, libraries have developed collections and services to meet the unique and varying needs of these distinct populations.

Public and school libraries receive per capita grants from the state. In the case of school libraries and some public libraries, this is an important source of funding for materials. The Per Capita amount was maintained in FY06.

One way libraries can provide a healthy return on investment is by having skilled and knowledgeable librarians to answer questions, organize information, and guide customers through the maze of available data. In order to keep and attract highly skilled staff, libraries need to offer compensation packages that compete favorably with private industry and government.

Technology, in general, and the Internet, in particular, are not replacing libraries. In fact, libraries are often the access point to the World Wide Web for many Illinois residents. As with commercial enterprises, technology requires skilled staff to maintain the equipment. The three-five year replacement span for maintaining updated hardware likewise imposes a significant cost upon libraries.

Regional library systems provide services to help individual libraries serve the citizens of Illinois. They keep member library staff informed of new developments and society-wide shifts affecting their communities. Library systems keep member staff skills current and deliver materials now shared around the state in a timely manner. Library systems are solely funded by area and per capita grants, which were cut by 12 percent in FY04 after not being increased since 1992.

The Illinois State Library ISL) provides guidance and grants to libraries in academic, school, public, and other settings. It negotiates contracts that provide electronic databases to all Illinois residents and serves as a resource for all libraries in the state. Since FY2000, the ISL budget has experienced a 22 percent reduction, a loss of $18,189,900.

2008 ILA Action Agenda

The Illinois Library Association is committed to serving as an advocate for libraries by developing legislative initiatives that: improve funding for libraries; protect intellectual freedom and patron confidentiality; expand access to information and library resources to all Illinois residents; and increase the effectiveness of Illinois libraries.

Library Funding
The Illinois Library Association will work with a broad coalition of library advocates to improve funding for libraries. The association will:

1. Work to expand existing funding levels and explore alternative sources of library funding.
2. Endeavor to increase the funding level for public and school library per capita grants.
3. Work to increase funding for regional library systems.
4. Develop and support legislative proposals to mitigate the harmful effects of the tax cap limitation act.
5. Work with the legislature to increase the Secretary of State's budget in order to increase the funding for the Illinois State Library.

Intellectual Freedom and Privacy
The Illinois Library Association is committed to protecting intellectual freedom and privacy while providing open access to information for all Illinois residents. The association will:

1. Continue to educate the public on the safe use of the Internet, including interactive web applications, by children.
2. Continue to oppose legislation mandating the use of Internet filters in libraries.
3. Encourage governing board of schools and libraries to develop an Acceptable Internet Use Policy with input from their community.
4. The association will continue to oppose legislation, which erodes the privacy of library users.

Access to Library Services
The Illinois Library Association believes access to library services should be a right and responsibility of every Illinois resident. The association will:

1. Oppose legislation that would erode public library service areas.
2. Work to extend tax-supported public library service to the 9 percent of Illinois residents currently unserved.
3. Work to ensure libraries are established in good faith with intentions to operate as a library.
4. Work to ensure that school library legislation is expanded to equip all school libraries with certified media personnel.

Increase Effectiveness of Illinois Libraries
The Illinois Library Association is committed to promoting legislation that will increase the effectiveness of Illinois libraries. The association will:

1. Work to develop library legislation that is comparable to legislation benefiting other entities of government.
2. Work to develop initiatives that improve the ability of Illinois libraries to provide library services to the citizens of Illinois.