Legislative Update -- September 3, 2020

September 3, 2020

Census 2020
Illinois is currently #7 in the nation regarding self-response rate, at 69.8% compared to the national rate of 65.1%. These figures are percentages of HOUSEHOLDS, not individuals counted. Now that nonresponse follow-up has begun, those rates are available too: An additional 19.4% of Illinois households have been counted, for a total enumerated percentage rate of 89.2%, compared to the national rate of 84.1%. 

ILA Public Policy & Advocacy Committees
PPC and the Advocacy Committee both met on Monday, August 31, to go over the association's potential legislative agenda and activities for the coming year. PPC members discussed media literacy and the role of school librarians; a few different issues regarding merging and/or annexing territory between and among public libraries of different types; federal library funding, in particular, COVID relief funds for libraries; support for the USPS; and potential grant programs to fund the development of open educational resources (OER) and statewide purchasing of databases. The Advocacy Committee is looking ahead to the spring legislative session, at the beginning of which ILA has traditionally hosted our series of Legislative Meet-ups held in eight regions around the state. This year, we will not be holding those in person, and the Advocacy Committee will work with local event coordinators and ILA staff to develop alternative plans.  Advocacy is also making plans for its traditional ILA Annual Conference panel with legislators; please stay tuned!

Project REALM Test 4 Results
While not "legislative" in nature, this news warrants policy attention: Results from research being conducted by OCLC, Battelle, and IMLS have now indicated that trace amounts of the virus that causes COVID-19 can last six days on a softcover book cover, a plastic protective book cover, and a DVD case, with higher amounts found on a hardcover book cover, when these items are in a stacked formation as in a delivery bin or on shelves. A previous test revealed no viable virus after three days on these items in open air. Please stay tuned for guidance from CPL, IHLS, RAILS, ISL, and CARLI, which ILA will also share.

iREAD Summer Reading Programs

Since 1981, iREAD provides high quality, low-cost resources and products that enable local library staff to motivate children, young adults, and adults to read.

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