Gail Meyer, Thornton Fractional South High School
Statement of Concern
Libraries of all types are facing challenges in 2024, whether those are financial ones, or more literal challenges to their operations, collections and staff. We need to stand united as a professional community and support each other. Public, school, and special libraries across the state can all use the support of ILA and the advocacy a large organization can bring to our profession.
As a librarian with both public and school library experience, I have seen the differences and similarities between these types of libraries. I expect special libraries have these similarities as well. ILA should represent and assist all types of libraries with advocacy and I would love to be the voice on the executive board that speaks from a different perspective than the usual. In my advocacy work for the Association of Illinois School Library Educators, I have heard many different voices express what they need from a professional organization and would love to apply some of these suggestions to a wider range of libraries in the state. ILA has a long history of supporting libraries in Illinois and I would be honored to be selected to help that continue.
Experience
Lansing Public Library, Lansing, IL
Assistant Reference Librarian, 2001-2004
Youth and Teen Services Director; 2004-2008
Thornton Fractional South High School, Lansing, IL
TF South High School Librarian; 2008-present
Education
MLIS, Dominican University, 2006
K-12 IL Teaching certificate with School Library Endorsement
BA, English Language and Literature; University of St. Francis, 2001
Professional Memberships & Activities
Association of Illinois School Library Educators (AISLE)
Presenter on School and Public Library Collaboration, 2006
Board member-at-large, 2020-2022
Annual conference steering committee, 2022
Advocacy Chair, 2022-present
Founder and Director of Librarians of the South Suburbs (LISS) AISLE Chapter, 2021-present
American Library Association, Member, 2005-present
YALSA and AASL member
Illinois Reading Council, Member, 2010-2017
Those Who Excel Award, Illinois State Board of Education, 2009
Excellence Counts Award, District 215, 2011 and 2020
iREAD Summer Reading Programs
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