-
About
- Annual Reports
- Awards, Grants, and Scholarships
- Bylaws
- Executive Board
- FAQ for Committee Chairs and Forum Managers
- ILA and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
- ILA Fiscal Policies
- ILA's Origins, Presidents, and Executive Directors
- ILA Store
- Remote Learning
- Strategic Plan
- Staff
- Frequently Asked Questions
-
Advocacy
- Submit Legislative Proposals to the ILA Public Policy Committee
- Advocacy Policies and Procedures
- More Than a Building
- Census 2020 Resources
- Creating or Changing Illinois State Library Law
- Illinois Minimum Wage Resources
- Intro to Property Taxes for IL Libraries
- ILA Public Policy Principles
- Legislative Issues
- Making Your Case
- Ready, Set, Advocate
- TIFs and Public Library Districts in Illinois
- Top Ten Advocacy Tips
- Unite Against Book Bans in Illinois
-
Committees
- Advocacy Committee
- Awards Committee
- Conference Program Committee, 2025
- Diversity Committee
- Finance Committee
- Fundraising Committee
- ILA Reporter Advisory Committee
- Intellectual Freedom Committee
- iREAD Committee
- Nominating Committee
- Public Policy Committee
- Reaching Forward North Committee
- Reaching Forward South Committee
- Serving Our Public Committee
- Events
-
Forums
- Human Resources & Administration Forum (HRAF)
- Illinois Association of College & Research Libraries Forum (IACRL)
- Library Trustee Forum (LTF)
- Marketing Forum (MF)
- Resources & Technical Services Forum (RTSF)
- Small and Rural Libraries Forum (SARL)
- Students and New Professionals Forum (SANP)
- Young Adult Services Forum (YASF)
- Youth Services Forum (YSF)
- Initiatives
- Membership
- Publications
A Professional Development Conference for Library Staff
Reaching Forward North is an annual professional development conference for library support staff in central and northern Illinois. With a commitment to providing quality training and information, Reaching Forward North strives to be the premier professional development opportunity in the Chicagoland and surrounding areas.
Reaching Forward North 2025
Location
Donald E. Stephens Convention Center
5555 North River Road, Rosemont, IL
Registration is closed. There will be no on-site registration.
Conference registration includes morning coffee, a buffet lunch, and a full day of programming. Don't forget to add your dietary restrictions to your registration.
Reaching Forward Awards
Two awards are presented at the Reaching Forward Conference.
The Oberman and Rich Reaching Forward Conference Grant recognizes the contributions of a support staff member to the library community and the role of support staff in libraries. The recipient will receive free registration to the current year Reaching Forward Conference, an overnight stay at the Reaching Forward conference hotel, $50 for expenses, and a framed certificate.
The Robert Doyle ILA Conference Grant for Support Staff encourages ILA membership and support staff attendance at the Illinois Library Association Annual Conference. The recipient will receive a one-year ILA membership and full registration and expenses to attend the ILA Annual Conference, up to $800, and a framed certificate.
Conference Schedule
8:30 - 9:00 a.m |
Morning Coffee, Exhibits, and Networking |
9:15 - 10:15 a.m |
Breakout Session 1 |
10:30 - 11:30 a.m. |
Breakout Session 2 |
11:45 a.m. - 12:45 p.m |
Luncheon and Awards |
12:45 - 1:15 p.m. |
Exhibits Break |
1:15 - 2:15 p.m. |
Breakout Session 3 |
2:30 - 3:30 p.m. |
Breakout Session 4 |