MLS would like to extend congratulations to two of our member librarians who have been elected to the 2010 Illinois Library Association Executive Board.  Lynn Elam, Executive Director of the Hinsdale Public Library, was elected Vice-President/President-elect.  Leslie Warren from Moraine Valley Community College was elected a Director at Large.  We talked to both Lynn and Leslie about the issues, trends and challenges they would face as ILA board members.

Lynn Elam, Vice-President/President-elect.

Lynn brings a variety of experience to the position.  Before being hired as Hinsdale Public Library Director, Lynn was director at the Messenger Public Library in North Aurora. She had also been employed as grants and development coordinator for the Naperville Public Library.  Lynn has held positions at DuPage Library System, the Packer Engineering Library and the Waubonsee Community College. 

Lynn feels that a big issue facing the board is the future of Illinois Library Systems and library service throughout the state.  Library  task forces were created in November 2009 during  the Illinois Library Summit held in Monticello. She is mindful of the work these task forces will be doing over the summer.    Lynn feels ILA has some of the best minds  working on insuring that libraries stay relevant to their constituents and wants to find ways to support them in that endeavor.

Lynn believes there will be some marked changes in the way library services will be delivered in the future.  ILA should be looking at the different options to deliver quality service; Lynn expects something brand new will emerge.  The importance of resource sharing and its consideration will be at the forefront of every decision.

Recently Lynn attended an OCLC seminar at the Public Library Association Conference, where they released updated results of their perception of library service survey.  The survey asked the same questions in 2010 that were asked in 2005.  One interesting change is that people impacted by economic downturns have rediscovered libraries.  Seventy-four percent of those interviewed said books were still on the top of their mind but a small percentage is now using the new technology.   Lynn feels one difficulty that library patrons experience is the ability to access electronic materials.  “This makes it necessary for librarians to be involved in the digital discussion.  The information world is in transitional state with one foot in digital and one in print”. 

One of the biggest challenges will be to maintain communication and cooperation statewide. Lynn feels ILA is well-positioned to be a conduit and should be involved.  “One of ILA’s roles”, she says, “will be to offer a feeling of stability, make sure new opportunities delivery services are seriously explored, and recognize the seriousness of our challenges”. 

Lynn believes that libraries need to be strategic thinkers and should show we are working diligently on solutions.  People from all over the state must think about the issues and help create solutions.  As a profession we have an obligation to the new people entering to lead the way and mentor. We should also stand aside and allow them a voice on decisions that will impact their future. It is a great time for new leadership to emerge while veteran leaders remain active.    Lynn feels we need to look throughout the state to find people who can make opportunities.

She is looking forward to putting the right people in the right places to maintain and build on the strengths of the library community.  She anticipates meeting and talking with people and hearing their ideas.  “One of the best things about managing a library”, Lynn says, “is the ability to give people the tools and space to move forward and make a contribution”.

Leslie Warren - Director at Large

Leslie Warren holds both a MLS from Dominican University and a law degree from Indiana University-Bloomington.  Since 2001, Leslie has been the Information Literacy Librarian at Moraine Valley Community College.  Prior to this position, she was Library Director at MacCormac College, Chicago.  Leslie has also served as an Assistant Regional Attorney for Civil Rights for the Chicago office of the U.S. Department of Education Office from 1995-1998.

She feels that ILA plays a critical role in making sure libraries can work together and continue being the powerful force they need to be.  “We need to work together to be more efficient and to make sure our patrons have access to information and the information literacy skills to make good decisions,” Leslie said. All types of libraries have a role to play.

The economic downturn continues to impact Illinois Libraries and the communities they serve.  Now the public needs libraries more than ever to access information that helps them address challenges and learn ways to meet them.  People need to be able to investigate how to take advantage of new energy, business and economic opportunities that are available.  The technology gap makes libraries even more important – for both those lacking technology at home, and also for patrons lacking skills to use them.

Advocacy for the profession as a whole is an important role for ILA.  The association is a place where voices come together to strategize the best use our strengths.   Leslie feels that convening the Library Summit was a move on the right track, and she sits on the structure task force created by the summit.

For the moment Leslie anticipates learning what needs to be done and how to best help. She will take time to understand the present environment, and observe strengths and weaknesses before deciding how she will move forward in her new role. Leslie is very honored to be elected to the ILA board, especially now when libraries are so important.  She appreciates all the support for her candidacy. 

Lynn Elam can be reached by e-mail at lelam@hinsdalelibrary.info.

Leslie Warren can be reached by e-mail at warren@morainevalley.edu.

Published May 19, 2010 in vol. 4, iss. 10 [View]