Submit Nominations for the 2025 Reaching Forward Awards!

January 27, 2025

The Reaching Forward North Committee is accepting nominations for the Oberman and Rich Reaching Forward Grant and the Robert Doyle ILA Conference Grant for Support Staff.

These awards recognize library support staff contributions and encourage ILA membership and conference attendance.

Additional information about these awards is provided below, and the deadline to apply is Monday, March 31, 2025. If you have questions, please contact Kristin Pekoll at kpekoll@ila.org.

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 P. Doyle ILA Conference Grant for Support Staff encourages ILA membership and support staff attendance at the Illinois Library Association Annual Conference. A one-year ILA membership, full registration to the ILA Annual Conference, up to $1,000, and a framed certificate will be awarded to the recipient.

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.

Visit the iREAD website »