by Kathy Roegge, MLS

Marilyn Boria from Elmhurst Public Library comments that the current revision process is a lot easier than when she was on the committee that developed the initial set of system standards in 1991. At that time, there were 18 library systems and the present communication technology wasn’t available. The only standards they had to work with were the ones adopted after the 1965 legislation authorizing the creation of systems in Illinois was passed. So basically they had to start from scratch.

The revision committee held its  first meeting on August 28, 2008, and since then has met 13  times either in person or via videoconference. The group was charged by the State Library with reviewing and revising the 1991 standards, making them relevant for today and clarifying statewide library system services for the future.  Rather than revising the old standards line by line, the committee decided that so many changes were needed that it was best to start over.

Marilyn is joined on the committee by David Carlson, Southern Illinois University; Thomas Dorst, CARLI; Tina Hubert, Lewis and Clark Library System; David Joens, Illinois State Archives; James Quisenberry, public library trustee and library system board member; and Jane Sharka, Illinois School Library Media Association Past President. One of the group’s first tasks  was to craft a list of assumptions (http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/library/who_we_are/pdfs/systemstandards_assumptions.pdf) to guide the work.

An important outcome of this project was to provide accountability for the use of system area and per capita grant funding. “As the overarching principle that informs these assumptions, we believe that the regional library systems are essential to the continued evolution of library service in Illinois and that they are a critical element in maintaining the overall quality of the statewide library service. Many services are most effective (and in some cases – only possible) when provided collectively by library systems rather than by individual libraries.”  The standards are designed  to create a picture for legislators showing the value of library systems to member libraries across the state.  They should help legislators  understand how efficiently and effectively the state funding for library systems is  being used.

Instead of the eight standards laid out by the 1991 document, the committee decided only six areas needed addressing. The six areas are Consulting/Professional Development, Resource Sharing, Administrative/Leadership, Technology, Cooperation/Collaboration and Research/Development. Every system member  should be able to expect assistance in these areas. Core services that need to be provided by each system across the state are Advocacy, Consulting, Delivery, On-site visits, and Professional Development. Each system could then provide extended services to meet the differing needs of their members.

One of the challenges of the process, Marilyn noted was that “the differences between and among systems are great.” One example of this is delivery - MLS handles many items but other systems have wider territories to cover. The committee is striving to create standards that insure equity across the state while allowing systems flexibility to meet the needs of member libraries.

The first draft, including public comments submitted during the process, is being reviewed right now. The whole committee will meet to consider the entire document at their January 11 meeting. The committee wanted the standards to be revised in an open process. Marilyn notes that the comments on each individual part have been helpful but thinks that many of the concerns will be addressed when the Library community sees the whole document.
All of the documents are available at http://illibrarysystemstandards.wordpress.com/. Background information about Illinois system standards can be found at http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/library/whats_new/systemstandardrules.html. Marilyn encourages people to continue to comment on the revisions. The committee reads all of them and tries to address any concerns expressed.

For more information contact Kathy Roegge at roeggek@mls.lib.il.us.

Published December 16, 2009 in vol. 3, iss. 24 [View]